The Roles of Vitamins and Minerals in our life

Q. It seems that not so long ago the only people interested in nutrition were A- level biology and home economics teachers and may be mum. Now the topic is constantly in papers and magazines. Why is nutrition such a popular topic these days? And what do vitamins and minerals have to do with it?
A. Critics say that our current fascination with nutrition is merely a media craze dreamed up by vitamin supplement industry to strike a chord with the middle aged. Nut that now where the truth. Nutrition is a major topic just now for good reason. Within the last 10 years or so, researchers on the both sides of the Atlantic have been conducting impressive new nutrition studies. This research goes miles beyond our previous understanding of the role nutrition plays in health.

Effective remedies for Eczema

Eczema causes patches of dry, intensely itchy skin, which usually appear on the face, hands, wrists, and scalp, and in the creases of the knees and elbows. Repeated scatching may leave the skin cracked and open to infection. Eczema is often linked to allergies and asthma. It usually develops in infancy and disappears by the early teenage years, but adults may have relapses triggered by factors such as stress, house dust mites, and some foods.

See your doctor first

Make an appointment to see your doctor even if you are fairly sure that you have eczema.

DRUG REMEDIES

How to get Acne free face

Many teenagers have acne, and for some it is a distressing and persistent problem. Outbreaks of pimples, blackhead, whiteheads, and cysts occur on the face and sometimes on the chest and back. The cause is a surge of hormones during puberty that stimulates the oil-producing glands in the skin, making them prone to blockage and infection. Acne tends to clear up over time, but the spots may leave scars. Attacks of acne in adult life can be triggered by factors such as stress, changes in the weather, and using certain cosmetics.

DRUG REMEDIES

How to stop dandruff and hairfall

In this harmless but sometimes embarrassing condition, excessive amounts of skin cells flake off the scalp. They show up as white flakes in your hair, and on your shoulders if you wear dark clothes. Your scalp may also be itchy and red, and your eyelids, nose, and forehead may be affected. Dandruff is usually associated with the growth of a yeast-like fungus on the scalp, or it can be a mild form of seborrhoeic dermatitis - a scaly, itchy rash that can also affect the eyelids. Dandruff I smore common in men and may be made worse by stress, illness, and some hair products. Scaly, flaking skin on a baby’s scalp is known as cradle cap.

Sexual debility: Most effective natural tips

Sexual debility

Sex is the ultimate human experience it is nature's gift to us, if you're good at sex there's absolutely nothing like it. With great sex you will be able to have a healthy relationship it nourishes the bonding between mates and even outside the relationship you will feel better about yourself and you'll become more confident and naturally attractive. And if your weak in sex it can be truly terrible, This simple effect can lead to anxiety, you will loose your self-confidence and go into depression and incapable of enjoying truly fulfilling relationship with a women.

1. Drink an infusion of ground fenugreek seeds mixed with one cup of water

2. Eat a teaspoon of onion seeds thrice a day

3. Take at night a semi boiled egg with a half a teaspoon of ginger juice and honey

4. Take a quarter teaspoon of nutmeg with honey and a half a boiled egg an hour beofre going to bed

5. Drink a cup of milk mixed with half a teaspoon of pepper powder and eight almonds

6. Take milk with saffron twice daily

7. Eat gingelly with jaggery

8. Take three teaspoons of dry pomegranate seeds with milk

9. Take roasted cumin seeds with honey

10. Pound and mix equal quantities of dates, almonds, pistachios and quince seeds. 100 grams of this mixture, consumed on a daily basis, is said to increase sexual power.

Men’s Bladder Problems Point To Heart Disease, DIabetes

Men who regularly get up more than once a night to urinate could be suffering from a range of health conditions, according to a new study.

Men who regularly get up more than once a night to urinate could be suffering from a range of health conditions, many of which can be treated if general practitioners (GPs) look for them.

The condition, known as nocturia, is one sign of overactive bladder syndrome. One in five of Australian men aged 40 or over and a third of men aged 70 and over have overactive bladder syndrome.

“The need to urinate at night is a problem with urine storage, and this disrupts sleep. It is an indication of and can also exacerbate other health conditions,” said Professor Gary Wittert, a leader of the research team.

“Nocturia, combined with the sensation of not being able to hold on (urgency), or frequent urination, suggest the presence of overactive bladder syndrome. We’re now beginning to understand the broader relevance of this in relation to other health problems.”

In their study, to be published in the Journal of Urology, the researchers found that the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms, although commonly thought to relate to the prostate, may have more to do with factors outside of the bladder and prostate.

“These urinary problems are associated with other conditions, such as sleep apnoea, depression or anxiety, and obesity,” said lead author Dr Sean Martin.

“The good news is that many of these problems are treatable or modifiable, and we’ve seen in our study that men can overcome their urinary problems if the underlying issues are correctly managed.”

According to Dr Martin, when a man goes to his GP about urinary problems, the first assumption is that the problem is caused by the prostate.

However, their findings show that men who are suffering from bladder problems are also likely to be suffering from a range of other health problems that should be looked for and managed.

The researchers hope that through earlier detection of these problems, men have a greater chance of reversing their bladder problems and preventing more serious disease.

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Source: University of Adelaide

Effective skin care tips for men

It may sound superficial but the fact remains – people do look at you and tend to judge you based on the image you project. You might be filthy rich but if you don’t look the part you will be the talk of the town. Needless to say, it is important to look your best when you step out or have company.

Contrary to the popular belief, skin care is not just for women! A man’s skin needs attention and nourishment just as much.

Before you start with a skincare routine, you’d need to find out your skin type: oily, normal/combination, dry, sensitive or sun- damaged. And once you’ve figured that out, you might want to know what products to pick, how to use them and also how to ensure they don’t smell too floral/feminine. Here are a few tips that will help you look your very best and of course make a lasting impression.

Start by Cleansing
If you are too lazy to do anything else, cleansing your face is the single most important thing you can do. Search for a good cleanser that your skin responds well to, and stick with it. If possible stay away from bar soaps as they often leave your skin feeling dry. According to Rona Berg, in her book, “Beauty,” a French cosmetics executive once told her, “Soap should only ever touch your skin from the neck down.” Choose a creamy cleanser if you have dry skin or a clear cleanser if you have oily skin. But remember not to overdo it.

To shave or not to shave
Hair growth in men is fairly regular. There’s no need to shave daily. But whenever you do, ensure to choose a good razor and a shaving gel or cream that yields a close shave, kills bacteria, softens follicles and leaves the skin feeling smooth. Avoid using any shaving products that contain alcohol and parabens as they strip the natural oils from the skin leaving it dry and irritated.

Exfoliation is essential
In order to remove dead skin cells and debris, exfoliation is a must. Moreover it stimulates circulation to add a healthy glow to your skin. A recent study proves that one of the reasons men’s skin looks more youthful than women’s is because men tend to exfoliate daily when they shave.

Moisturize your skin
As men usually have oilier skin than women, they tend to wrinkle just as quickly. A light moisturizer and a nourishing cream can do wonders. If at all shaving irritates your skin, try moisturizing your skin after a shave & ideally before going to bed. A good quality moisturizer includes quality vegetable oils that do not clog pores.

Sunscreen
Celebrity Talk Show host Oprah Winfrey’s magazine ‘O’ ran an article featuring interviews with top skin care experts and dermatologists. Everyone claimed that that sunscreen is the most important part of skincare regime. Sunscreen only works if you use it properly. SPF 15 is a good start but apply it half an hour prior to stepping outdoors. If you plan to stay outdoors for longer, use SPF 30.

All said and done, remember that you need not spend lavishly on expensive lotions and creams. And you don’t need to be worried about carrying the label of a metrosexual anymore. Taking care of skin is perfectly normal. So, think of us as your one-stop resource for all things grooming related and then breathe a sigh of relief because looking your best just got easier.

How to prevent genetic hair loss?

Temporary hair loss often occurs after an illness or period of stress, or because of a skin infection such as ringworm. Chemical hair treatments and hairstyles and hats that pull on the hair can contribute to the problem. Some drugs and long-term illnesses cause hair loss, and women may lose hair temporarily after childbirth. Permanent hair loss is usually hereditary and can begin to affect men as early as in their twenties. Women who inherit the trait develop thin hair later in life but do not usually become bald.

See your doctor first
Make an appointment to see your doctor if :
* You have been losing hair rapidly or in patches in recent weeks
* You think your hair loss may be due to a medication or an illness
* You are pulling your hair out

NATURAL REMEDIES
Protein and iron protein is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body, including hair. Make sure about on sixth of your total calorie intake is made up of foods such as meat, fish, cheese, and nuts. Iron also helps maintain hair health, so eat plenty of iron-rich foods such as cereals, beans, fish, poultry, meat, and leafy green vegetables.

DRUG REMEDIES
Minoxidil preparation can slow down or prevent hereditary hair loss in a proportion of men and women. The treatment is applied twice daily and needs to be used continually, as its effect starts to wear off as soon as it is stopped. You may have to wait for up to a year before you notice any improvement. Ask your pharmacist for advice.

Using minoxidil
Apply the lotion to areas of hair loss using an applicator and spread it with your fingertips.

What you can do yourself
There is little you can do to prevent hereditary hair loss, but treatments may reverse some of its effects. For temporary hair loss, try the following to slow hair thinning and encourage regrowth.

* Fad diets and crash diets may contribute to hair loss. Make sure you include plenty of protein and iron in your diet.

* Avoid using hair dyes and treatments to perm or straighten your hair. They contain chemicals that may make hair brittle and liable to break at the roots.

* Don’t wear your hair in a style that pulls on your scalp, or wear a cap or hat continuously unless you have to wear headgear for your work.

* Let your hair dry naturally if possible, rather than using a hairdryer. Don’t pull on your hair with a brush or comb when it is wet.

* If your hair is thinning, a good haircut can make a difference. Short, blunt cuts can make hair appear thicker. Some men prefer to cut their hair very short, or shave it off, to disguise a receding hairline.

* If you are in the early stages of hereditary hair loss, you can try a preparation containing minoxidil that may restore hair.

How to Stop Dandruff?

In this harmless but sometimes embarrassing condition, excessive amounts of skin cells flake off the scalp. They show up as white flakes in your hair, and on your shoulders if you wear dark clothes. Your scalp may also be itchy and red, and your eyelids, nose, and forehead may be affected. Dandruff is usually associated with the growth of a yeast-like fungus on the scalp, or it can be a mild form of seborrhoeic dermatitis - a scaly, itchy rash that can also affect the eyelids. Dandruff I smore common in men and may be made worse by stress, illness, and some hair products. Scaly, flaking skin on a baby’s scalp is known as cradle cap.

Arrange to see your doctor if :
* The dandruff does not clear up after you have been using these home treatments

* You develop sensitivity to an anti-dandruff shampoo that persists for more than a few days

* Your scalp becomes red and develops sore patches or crusts

What you can do yourself
Dandruff can usually be controlled with the treatments below. You may need to repeat them occasionally, because the condition tends to recur.

* Use an anti- dandruff shampoo (see DRUG REMEDIES) and wash your hair in warm rather than hot water. Massage the shampoo into your scalp and make sure you leave it on long enough to work – generally about 3-5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.

* Keep using the brand of anti-dandruff shampoo that you find works for you. If you develop itchiness or a rash, however, stop using the shampoo immediately and try switching to one with a different active ingredient.

* Don’t below-dry your hair because it may aggravate the dandruff.

* Avoid alcohol-based hair products such as hair sprays, which tend to dry out the scalp, and mousses, gels, and dyes, which may increase irritation and make dandruff worse.

* Treat itchy, flaky skin on your eyelids (blepharitis) with a special cleaning regime

DRUG REMEDIES
Anti- dandruff shampoos should clear up your dandruff within a few weeks. Follow the instructions carefully because different brands have different treatment advice.

Shampoos may contain pyrithione zinc, selenium sulphide, or ketoconazole, which is particularly effective. Alternatively, use a shampoo that contains coal tar, or coal tar and salicylic acid.

Shampooing
After shampooing, rinse your hair thoroughly to remove every trace of anti-dandruff shampoo.

Lack of Vitamin D a vital risk factor for ED

Washington: Boosting the levels of vitamin D might help men with erectile dysfunction (ED) as there is a link between heart disease, asthma, depression, periodontal disease, falls and fractures and low levels of the vitamin, a new study has claimed.

Evidence cited supporting the link between low vitamin D and ED include that those with Asthma, depression, falls and fractures, multiple sclerosis, and periodontal disease are at greater risk of having ED.

In addition, those with ED are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. All of these diseases are linked to vitamin D deficiency.

Vascular problems account for about half the cases of ED. There is a large body of research finding that vitamin D can maintain vascular health.

The mechanisms appear to include suppressing the activity of the renin-angiotensin system, thereby lowering blood pressure, improving endothelial function, reducing inflammation, and reducing vascular calcification.

Solar ultraviolet (UV) light is the primary source of vitamin D for most people. In addition, UV increases nitric oxide concentrations in the blood, which also appears to reduce the risk of ED.

Those diagnosed with ED should consider having serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration measured, then adopt a program to increase concentrations to at least 40 ng per ml (100 nmol per l) through vitamin D supplementation and/or increased solar UVB exposure.

Serum 25(OH)D concentrations should be re-measured a few months after starting such a program.

Those diagnosed with ED should also have their physician check for signs of early diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

“Onset of erectile dysfunction is a life-changing event for a man of any age. Fortunately, there are now reasonably successful medical treatments for it. However, as he or she is signing the script, the Physician should remember that ED is frequently an early indicator of systemic disease,” Dr. Richard Quinton, from The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals, England, said.

“The conditions we tend to think of first in relation to ED are diabetes and hypogonadism, but any occult systemic disease can precipitate ED many years before it becomes clinically apparent,” he said.

The hypothesis presented in this paper is certainly plausible and deserves to be tested, but even if there turns out to be no direct vascular-related link between ED and hypovitaminosis D, it is highly likely that patients with symptomatic fatigue and-or musculoskeletal aches and pains secondary to the more severe end of the hypovitaminosis D spectrum will exhibit impaired erectile and sexual function.

“We know from the MRC survey that severe hypovitaminosis D is highly-prevalent even among middle-aged Caucasians in the UK, particularly in the West of Scotland. This is almost certainly due to our high latitude, prevalent cloud cover and low fish consumption,” Quinton said.

“So, whilst writing that script for erection-promoting tablet, the Physician should also consider the possibility of hypovitaminosis D, particularly if the following risk factors are present: constitutively darker skin type, conscious or unconscious sun-avoidance behaviour, including culturally or behaviourally-determined forms of clothing, routine use of SPF sunblock in everyday life, shift work, obesity, medication with immunosuppressants or anticonvulsants, or bowel disease predisposing to fat soluble vitamin malabsorbtion.

“Thus, among the lifestyle changes the Physician might typically promote in the context of ED, such as “stop smoking, take more exercise, eat more healthily and lose weight”, “get more sunshine exposure to bare skin” should perhaps also be in the mix.

“For the purpose of maximising vitamin D photosynthesis, whilst minimising solar skin damage, the mathematically most logical solution is to expose as much skin as possible (without burning) -ie. sunbathing- rather than just exposing forearms, face and neck for a longer period.

“However, we all know how hard it is to persuade our patients to make significant and sustained lifestyle changes, which is precisely why bariatric surgery has taken off in recent years. Moreover, not everyone can afford to take a “winter sun” holiday, so for many people, taking an oral vitamin D supplement may be the way forward,” he added.

The study has been published in Dermato-Endocrinology.

source: ANI

Top warning signs of health problems in men

According to a survey by the American Academy of Family Physicians, 38 percent of men go to the doctor only when they’re extremely sick or when symptoms don’t go away on their own. But feeling healthy isn’t the same as being healthy, and waiting around for problems to get better with time could lead to complications or late diagnoses.

Men need to be vigilant about symptoms that could indicate potential health conditions, according to everydayhealth dot com. Symptoms may be subtle and ongoing or sudden and painful.

Either way the following symptoms are signs to see a doctor:

1. Chest Pain - Although usually associated with a heart attack chest pains may also indicate angina, or a lung condition such as pneumonia, a pulmonary embolism, or asthma. Or it might be a gastrointestinal health condition such as acid reflux or a stomach ulcer. All of these need a doctor’s attention.

2. Bloody Urine - a prime symptom of prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate. It could also be due to either cancer or stones in the bladder or kidney. Kidney disease or injury can cause bloody urine as can inflammation or infection of the bladder, kidney, or urethra.

3. Shortness of Breath - another symptom that can mean any number of things. It can signal a heart attack, congestive heart failure, lung disease, asthma, or pulmonary hypertension. Shortness of breath also is a symptom
associated with anemia.

4. Hair Loss - a natural part of aging, temporary hair loss can also be the result major surgery, illness or severe emotional stress. Hair loss also can also serve as a warning for a more serious conditions, such as an autoimmune disease like lupus, infectious diseases like syphilis, thyroid disease, or ringworm.

5. Erectile Dysfunction ‹ about 70 percent of cases of erectile dysfunction are caused by another condition, making this a warning signal of a serious medical issue such as, diabetes, heart disease, atherosclerosis, kidney disease, neurologic disease, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, and vascular disease.

6. Fatigue - an ongoing lack of energy and motivation and is a normal response to circumstances such as stress, physical exertion, or lack of sleep. However, fatigue also can be a symptom of a more serious physical or psychological health conditions including, cancer, congestive heart failure, diabetes, arthritis, infections, and kidney or liver disease. Fatigue also can be part of health problems like anemia, depression, sleep disorders, or a malfunctioning thyroid gland.

7. Dizziness - feeling light-headed, unsteady on your feet, or experiencing the sensation that the room is spinning around you occurs when there is not enough blood reaching the brain. It can result from a sudden drop in blood pressure or dehydration. Dizziness often accompanies health problems like the flu, allergies, or hypoglycemia. It also can indicate a serious health risk like heart disease, stroke, or shock.

8. Excessive Thirst - every man should drink lots of water to maintain his health. However, excessive thirst can be a prominent symptom of hyperglycemia and possible diabetes. Excessive thirst also is an indication of possible internal bleeding, severe infection, or a failure of the heart, liver, or kidneys.

9. Memory Loss - more than just forgetting where you put your keys, it’s a health condition characterized by a level of continued and unusual forgetfulness. Aging creates a certain low-level amount of memory loss, but dramatic memory loss often indicates Alzheimer’s disease, brain tumors, brain infections, brain damage, depression, encephalitis, stroke, and alcoholism. Certain vitamin deficiencies also can bring on memory loss

10. Vision Problems - vision naturally deteriorates with age, but problems like blurry vision, blind spots, halos around lights, and tunnel vision can indicate a serious eye condition. You could be experiencing vision problems caused by an eye disease like cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, or macular degeneration. Or it could indicate a health problem such as a migraine, a stroke, or a brain tumor.

source: ardmoreite

Top Causes of Hair Loss

Major Causes of Hair Loss

Hair loss can be characterized in many condition of our scalp condition. Some of these conditions are, thinning of hair, hair detritus which means the hair stops to grow anymore, partial or full baldness, alopecia etc. Many researchers observed the genetic cause as one of the major causes of hair loss but simultaneously the causes of hair loss have been located in our life style, food habit, medical reasons of using some drugs or being victim to some diseases and a lot of other causes. We would examine here some of the major causes of hair loss on which almost all researchers in the field of dermatology have been agreed upon.

Genetic cause for Hair Loss problems

Clinically or from the viewpoint of medical science this the most commonly cited cause of hair fall and there is practically no dearth of evidence to substantiate this finding. So, if your ancestors or family members or close relatives have a long lineage of baldness or thinning of hair, you can be assured of the genetic cause of your hair fall.

Malnutrition

Hair is also integral part of our organic system and like any other cells of the body hair cells in our scalp also needs proper nourishment and nutrition. So the deficiency of a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients can as well be the cause of hair loss and baldness along with other causes.

Fever and viral diseases

High fever for a longer period and viral diseases are said to be some of the contributing factors for the hair loss of many patients suffering from these diseases. Typhoid is the most prominent disease to be the cause of hair loss for many patients affected by it.

Certain drugs and treatment

Certain drugs and treatment can be very harmful for the condition of your scalp and hair. Normally cancer patients subjected to chemotherapy or radiation are much vulnerable to the hair loss or rapid thinning of hair. Many crucial or life saving drugs in the allopathic medical tradition have tremendous side effects to cause hair loss.

Stress is one of the major cause of Hair Loss problem

Stress is one of the major causes of hair loss which explains the subversive effects of our modern day life style on the functioning of our organic system. Our hair cells like other organic cells needs rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. With your stress and restlessness your scalp condition is also left with syndromes of falling apart and non responsive degrowth.

Cosmetics

Chemically treated cosmetics can be a major cause of hair loss. Before straightening your hair artificially by using hair gel or hairstyling by means of any non organic material remind yourself of the long term causes these would leave on your scalp. Most of the shampoo and bathing products in the market are chemically treated and they are known to have a adverse effect on our hair and skin. It is high time to beaware of them, especially for those who are proud of their mop of lovely hair.

Water

Are you aware that the regular supply of water in any household is chemically treated and for a person who has already developed the syndromes of receding hairline, bathing with this water can prove dangerous.

Pregnancy and child birth

Pregnancy and giving child birth is one of the major causes of hair loss in case of women. Women become vulnerable to various kinds of mineral deficiencies at the time of pregnancy or child birth which causes their hair loss.

From the major causes of hair loss it is evident that with a little caution and change in our life style or habits we can eradicate maximum of these factors to cause hair fall.

For more Hair Fall related information given below

Major Causes of Hair Loss
Hair Loss Problem in USA
Ayurvedic Healing for Hair Loss
Types of Treatment for Hair Loss
Good and Bad Part of Hair Transplantation

CDC uncovers graphic ads to combat smoking

Washington (CNN) -- Federal health officials on Thursday are unveiling a $54 million national media campaign to get smokers to quit and prevent anyone else, especially children, from starting.

The campaign, called "Tips From Former Smokers," is intended to educate Americans about the dangers of smoking through the stories and graphic pictures of ex-smokers who have suffered severe health consequences of tobacco use.

The former smokers profiled have suffered ailments such as stroke-related paralysis, limb amputation, lung removal and heart attack. One breathes through a stoma, a surgically created hole in the neck through which a person who has undergone larynx or voice box surgery can breathe.

"Hundreds of thousands of lives are lost each year due to smoking, and for every person who dies, 20 more Americans live with an illness caused by smoking," Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement.

"We cannot afford to continue watching the human and economic toll from tobacco rob our communities of parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends and co-workers. We are committed to doing everything we can to help smokers quit and prevent young people from starting in the first place."

The ads are the brainchild of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office on Smoking and Health. The agency says smoking remains the country's leading cause of disease and preventable death, resulting in more than 443,000 fatalities annually. More than 8 million Americans live with a smoking-related illness or conditions, according to the disease agency.

The combination of public service announcements and paid advertising for television, radio, newspapers and magazines also spotlights the dangers of exposure to secondhand smoke. The ads will also be featured on billboards, in theaters and online -- including on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

"Although they may be tough to watch, the ads show real people living with real, painful consequences from smoking," said CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden. "There is sound evidence that supports the use of these types of hard-hitting images and messages to encourage smokers to quit, to keep children from ever beginning to smoke, and to drastically reduce the harm caused by tobacco."

The campaign includes eight television ads (one of them in Spanish), seven radio spots in 30- and 60-second versions, seven print ads and five billboard and bus stop ads.

The campaign marks the first time the CDC has run a paid, comprehensive national anti-tobacco advertising effort. The primary target is smokers ages 18 to 54, but public health experts also said they hope it will dissuade children from adopting the habit.

Last week the surgeon general released a report on youth smoking, leading Sebelius to declare: "Targeted marketing encourages more young people to take up this deadly addiction every day. This administration is committed to doing everything we can to prevent our children from using tobacco."

The agency said, "Targeted messages and images that portray smoking as an acceptable, appealing activity for young people are widespread, and advertising for tobacco products is prominent in retail stores and online."

The need for such a campaign is urgent, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

"This media campaign is a smart investment that will reduce tobacco use, save lives and reduce tobacco-related health care costs," Matthew L. Myers, president of the advocacy group. "The tobacco industry spends more than $1 million every hour on marketing that entices kids, discourages smokers from quitting and portrays its deadly and addictive products as normal and appealing. The CDC's campaign will counter the industry's marketing with the harsh truth about tobacco use, told by former smokers themselves."

The CDC said the tobacco industry spends more than $27 million a day on marketing to kids and others -- about $10 billion a year. In two days, the industry spends about what the government has budgeted for the entire 12-week campaign. The industry denies that it markets to children.

Tobacco giant Phillip Morris would not comment of the campaign, telling CNN: "Philip Morris USA agrees smoking is addictive and causes serious disease. While we are not prepared to comment on CDC's anti-smoking campaign, preventing underage tobacco use, discouraging smoking initiation and promoting quitting remain important to reducing the harm from cigarette smoking. A complementary strategy, focused on the development of and appropriate communications about potentially lower risk tobacco products, may be one of the most meaningful actions that the Food and Drug Administration can take to reduce the health effects of smoking."

Not in dispute is the deadly impact smoking can have on health. About a third of the smoking-related deaths in the United States are linked to heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.

"The ads highlight a shocking but very realistic fate that could await some current smokers if they continue their tobacco addiction," said Nancy Brown, the association's CEO. The ads note that smoking contributes to one in five strokes and increase the odds of having a heart attack. "The American Heart Association believes these graphic ads, coupled with vigorous tobacco control at the state level, will reach not only the adults who smoke, but also will break through to teens and discourage them from ever taking up this deadly habit," she said.

The American Cancer Society says nine of 10 smokers started before they turned 18.

"Combating tobacco use requires a multipronged approach, including federal regulation of tobacco products, increased tobacco taxes, smoke-free workplaces and sustained investment in prevention and cessation now and beyond the end of the CDC campaign," said Christopher W. Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, in a statement. "This historic advertising campaign will help to combat Big Tobacco's unscrupulous efforts to addict new users and prevent existing users from trying to quit."

The campaign begins less than a month after a federal mandate requiring tobacco companies to place graphic images on their products warning of the dangers of smoking was tossed out by a judge in Washington, who said the requirements were a violation of free speech.

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act passed in 2009 would have required nine written warnings such as "Cigarettes are addictive" and "Tobacco smoke causes harm to children." Also included would have been alternating images of a corpse and smoke-infected lungs.

Fat diet linked to low sperm counts

A diet high in saturated fat has been linked with a reduced sperm count.

A study of 99 men attending a US fertility clinic found those eating junk food diets had poorer sperm quality.

High intakes of omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and plant oils, were associated with higher sperm concentration.

More work is needed to confirm the findings, the researchers report in the journal Human Reproduction.

The team, led by Prof Jill Attaman from Harvard Medical School in Boston, questioned men about their diet and analysed sperm samples over the course of four years.

Compared with those eating the least fat, men with the highest fat intake had a 43% lower sperm count and 38% lower sperm concentration (number of sperm per unit volume of semen).

Men consuming the most omega-3 fatty acids had sperm with a more normal structure than men with the lowest intake.

Prof Attaman said: "The magnitude of the association is quite dramatic and provides further support for the health efforts to limit consumption of saturated fat given their relation with other health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease."

However, 71% of participants were overweight or obese, which could have had an impact on sperm quality. Furthermore, none of the men had sperm counts or concentrations below the "normal" levels defined by the World Health Organization of at least 39 million and 15 million per millilitre.

Commenting on the research, British fertility expert Dr Allan Pacey, of the University of Sheffield, said: "This is a relatively small study showing an association between dietary intake of saturated fats and semen quality.

"Perhaps unsurprisingly there appeared to be a reasonable association between the two, with men who ate the highest levels of saturated fats having the lowest sperm counts and those eating the most omega-3 polyunsaturated fats having the highest.

"Importantly, the study does not show that one causes the other and further work needs to be carried out to clarify this. But it does add weight to the argument that having a good healthy diet may benefit male fertility as well as being good general health advice."

source: bbc

Effective Natural Tips For Urinary Problem

Urinary incontinence (UI) is the accidental leakage of urine. At different ages, males and females have different risks for developing UI. In childhood, girls usually develop bladder control at an earlier age than boys, and bedwetting -- or nocturnal enuresis -- is less common in girls than in boys.

However, adult women are far more likely than adult men to experience UI because of anatomical differences in the pelvic region and the changes induced by pregnancy and childbirth. Nevertheless, many men do suffer from incontinence. Its prevalence increases with age, but UI is not an inevitable part of aging.

UI is a treatable problem. To find a treatment that addresses the root of the problem, you need to talk with your health care provider.

But the following are some effective natural tips that helps heal urinary problems:

1. Barley water removes the burning sensation in the urine, helps the free flow of urine

2. Eat a lot of ash gourd to prevent urinary problems

3. Eat plenty of cucumber

4. Drink gooseberry sherbet to stop blood being discharged with urine

5. Drink tender coconut water to burning sensation during urine.

6. Eat a mashed banana with tablespoon of gooseberry juice

7. Take an infusion of tender papaya leaves

8. Take basil juice mixed with honey and lemon juice

9. Take buttermilk with fenugreek seeds

10 Drink water with mint juice for painful urination

11 Take milk with two teaspoon of pomegranate seeds

12. For scary urination drink cardamom tree

Nature's biological clock - It's not just for women

The biological clock I’m talking about isn’t the one that we hear about in romantic movies, where the thirty-something woman is getting nervous about being single and childless. It’s a far more fundamental mechanism that regulates our sleep-wake cycle.

Animals have this biological clock built in, and they’ve never even read a book about it. Rats will get on their little exercise wheel at the same time every day, and they don’t even have clocks! I know personally that I experience a little drop in energy around 4:00 p.m. and then a rise again around 6:00 p.m., and that seems to be fairly independent of what I do, eat, or drink, though it can certainly be made worse and much more dramatic by the wrong choices.

The rhythm of this internal biological clock is called a circadian rhythm. People who are at odds with it, such as night-shift workers, suffer serious health consequences, not the least of which has to do with their energy and performance.

The circadian rhythm is cycle of roughly twenty-four hours (some say twenty-five) that is in the physiology of almost all living beings, from fungi to people. It was originally coined by a researcher at the University of Minnesota named Franz Halberg, and it comes from the Latin words circa (meaning “around”) and diem (meaning “day”). A circadian rhythm, then, can be thought of as the ebb and flow of different metabolic and biological processes over the course of about a day.

It’s pretty clear, though, that sleep is necessary for our survival, and equally clear that it’s directly, unambiguously, stunningly connected to our daytime energy levels and mood.

Circadian rhythms seem to be generated internally – what scientists call endogenously – even though they can be affected or modified by outside cues such as light. But they are clearly observed in animals such as monkeys, even in the complete absence of external cues. They’re more or less hardwired into our DNA.

So our biological clock, this circadian rhythm, regulated our cycle of sleep and wakefulness. Stanford researchers postulate that this clock has an active alerting function that keeps us up during the day, and then lets us sleep at night by simply turning the alerting function off, or at least that would be what would happen in the best of all possible worlds.

They also theorize that the daytime clock-dependent alerting occurs in two distinct waves-one in the morning when you first wake up, and the other late in the day (which totally accounts for my increased energy around 6:00 p.m.). Finally, they postulate that the second wave of alerting that takes place in the early evening is stronger than the first early morning wave, which makes total sense because by the we will have accumulated more sleep debt and will need a stronger alerting stimulus to overcome it and stay awake into the evening.

Now here’s the good part, and it will blow your mind. In between those two peaks of what the Stanford group calls heightened clock-dependent alerting, the clock operator slacks off and takes, forgive the pun, a nap. Right in the middle of the day, right during the matinee, before it kicks up again for the evening show.

What happens to us around mid-afternoon? We feel tired. Our energy drops. According to the Standford group, most people incorrectly assume that this is the result of eating lunch. Indeed, it can be made way worse by eating the wrong foods for lunch, and it frequently is. But it’s not caused by eating lunch. In reality, says Dement, author of The Promise of Sleep, people are only feeling their accumulated sleep debt, but this time there’s no surge in clock-dependent alerting to mask that feeling.

People who are not sleep deprived at all have accumulated virtually no sleep debt – their credit card bills are paid off. Therefore, when the alerting mechanism takes a nap in mid-afternoon and exposes them to the big bad sleep loan shark who comes to collect, they owe nothing. If on top of that, they also eat right and keep their bodies fit, their mid-afternoon energy slump should be……. Let’s see now ……….. roughly zero.

Great Ideas For Natural Facial Mask

Facial Mask

1. Make a mask that is ideal for sensitive skin as well as useful to rid eruptions like acne. Mix together almond, sandalwood, egg white, honey and yoghurt into a paste and apply on the face.

2. Milk cream mask is another great mask. With a few drops of lemon juice in raw milk, the mask brightens up dull, sallow and dry complexion. It is best to apply it half an hour before bath.

3. Beat the white of an egg until stuff. Add five tablespoon of yoghurt. Apply it on the face. Wipe clean with a soft towel dipped in hot water followed by dipping it in cold water. For oily skin, add a teaspoon of lemon juice. For a dry skin add a teaspoon of honey.

4. To make turmeric cleansing mask, combine one and half teaspoon of turmeric powder and lemon juice

5. For an oatmeal mask, mix one tablespoon of oatmeal with enough milk to make a paste. Beat a yolk and beat into a paste. You can substitute glycerin for yolk.

6. For a cleansing mask mix together equal quantities of oatmeal and cucumber juice

7. To prepare Fuller’s earth mask mix two tablespoon of fuller’s earth and three spoons of milk

8. Extract the juice of potato. Add Fuller’s earth to make a thick paste

9. Cucumber mixed with Fuller’s earth helps to clean dirt in the skin

10. Boiled and mashed turnips mixed with a little yoghurt is good for cleansing mask

11. Mashed strawberries have excellent cleansing properties.

12. Regular application ripe mashed papaya on the face leaves the skin clean, smooth

13. Carrot mask containing juice from half a carrot, and a quarter teaspoon honey is excellent for a sensitive skin as carrot has plenty of vitamin A

14. Avocado mask made of the pulp of a quarter avocados a beaten yolk and half a teaspoon of honey is perfect for dry skin.

15. Potato mask comprising one tablespoon raw grate potato and half teaspoon of curd is an ideal mask for dry skin

16. To make simple oatmeal, soak one and half tablespoon of oatmeal in a little milk for 15 minutes.

17. Cucumber mask made of half a cup of mashed cucumber the white of an egg and two teaspoon skimmed milk powder is ideal for a sluggish and tired face.

18. Beat an egg and one teaspoon honey for dry skin, and lemon juice instead of honey and oily skin

19. Prepare honey mask by combining one tablespoon each of Fuller’s earth and honey for combination skin.

20. Use parsley mask comprising one bunch of parsley leaves and one tablespoon honey gives elasticity to the skin

21. Honey and egg mask having an egg a teaspoon each of sesame oil and honey gives and elasticity to the skin

22. Make starch mask with one tablespoon of starch and water. Massage your face with little olive oil. Then apply mask and leave for 20 minutes

23. Honey face mask can be made with half a teaspoon each of honey and barley into which is added a frothy egg.

24. Make an egg nousse facial mask with an egg white, one teaspoon cream and a quarter of castor sugar all beaten well

25. To prepare all purpose masks, mix together a teaspoon of curd, lemon juice, carrot juice, and gelatin, two teaspoon of brewer’s yeast, and half teaspoon each of barley powder and olive oil. The fruit and vegetable juice supple minerals and vitamin, barley give protein, yeast stimulates blood flow, and curd cleanses the skin

26. Make an almond mask with four almonds soaked in water &grounded and mixed with two tablespoons of milk and one tablespoon of orange juice, and the contents of one vitamin A capsule.

Facial Packs

1. The cream of milk makes a good facial mask

2. Fuller’ earth pack is good for an oily, large pored skin

3 Make banana honey pack with half a banana and half a teaspoon of honey

4. Make a winter pack of one tablespoon of wheat germ mixed with olive oil to make paste

Nose

1. Dab some cucumber juice before applying foundation or powder. This will give a smooth effect to the nose

2. Tweeze the inner corners of the eyebrows to counteract the upturned shape of the nose

3. For a long nose, the hair of your eyebrows should be tweezed to forma line at a decided angle to the line of the nose

4. To offset a broad or puffy nose, apply darker shade of powder on both sides of the nose. Blend well with usual foundation

Pores

1. Ice wrapped in cotton wool, and rub gently on the face closes open pores.

2. Add a grain of camphor to beaten egg white. Mix well and spread this on the face then rinse well

3. The fresh juice of cucumber and honey are usually beneficial

4. Massage tomato pulp on the face to close open pores. Tomatoes have astringent and anti ten enzymes

5. Soak a cotton pad in buttermilk. Pat over face and allow drying. Rinse off.

6. Apricot with tomato pulp is an excellent pore shirker.

7. Equal quantities of tomato juice and buttermilk rubbed of the face shrinks the large pores.

8. Lettuce leave juice and a few drops of lemon juice make an excellent pore tighter

9. Soak five almonds for an hour. Grind and mix with a teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply on the face. After 15 minutes rinse off with tepid water

10. Clean your face with warm water. Add two tablespoon of milk of magnesia, rinse off after 20 minutes, with tepid water then cold water.

11. Rub half a lemon over the entire face and allow it to dry. Wash off

Neck

1. Mix the juice of lemon with a little oatmeal or gram flour. Apply on the neck and leave for 15 minutes. Wash it off. This takes care of wrinkles and whitens the skin.

2. Mix together rose water, glycerin and egg white. Apply over neck. Allow to dry before rinsing off. This is an excellent for lined and wrinkled neck

3. To bleach and smoothen dry skins on the neck rub the pulp of an avocado with lemon juice.

4. Rub pure cucumber juice to bleach the neck

Tips To Better Sexual Health

Each year as the holiday season draws to a close, millions attempt a fresh start by making New Year’s resolutions. Individual resolutions vary, but perennial favorites include vows to lose weight or shed bad habits such as smoking. These are worthy goals. But why not put a healthier relationship at the top of your list with resolutions designed to improve your love life? Renowned sexologist Yvonne K. Fulbright, Astroglide Sexual Health and Wellness Ambassador, considered that proposition and created tips to help you ring in the New Year with a more connected, healthier relationship with the one you love.

1.) Carpe diem! As responsible adults, we sometimes feel obligated to put others’ needs before our own, shutting down libidinal stirrings to attend to an extensive “to-do” list. Seize the moment when you’re feeling frisky! You and your lover will both be thankful for some extra action!

2.) Communicate proactively. Unless your partner is a mind-reader, you must express your desires to get what you want from your relationship. Books like “Sultry Sex Talk to Seduce Any Lover” and “Difficult Conversations” can boost confidence.

3,) Plan your strategy. The start of a new year is an ideal time to get out your calendar and plan at least two days per month to spend together as a couple – plus romantic getaways. Guarantee that your time together will happen by planning time off or arranging babysitters in advance.

4.) Start and end each day with a kiss. Research shows that couples who routinely make loving gestures toward one another are happier overall. Start 2012 off right with a resolution to kiss each night before you go to bed and greet each other with a kiss the next morning.

5.) Make a list of fun things to do together. You never know when a window of “couple time” will open, and all too often, couples are too exhausted to think of where to go or what to do when opportunity strikes. Keep a running list of things you’d like to do together, so you’ll be prepared.

6.) Treat yourselves to a regular massage. It may seem counterintuitive, but getting relaxed actually gets you more revved up and responsive to sex! Treat yourself and your partner to massages, either from a professional masseuse or by giving each other relaxing rub downs.

7.) Do something novel this year. Fall in love all over again by engaging in a new activity as a couple. The possibilities are endless: tango lessons, cooking classes, hiking or kayaking. Such bonding activities can release dopamine, a natural chemical that can enhance your pleasure.

8.) Address personal issues that affect your relationship. Sometimes negative experiences from the past can haunt relationships long into the future. If personal issues are dragging you or your lover down, seek counseling and address them for a stronger, healthier connection in 2012.

9.) Improve your libido through good nutrition. A vow to improve eating habits tops many New Year’s resolution lists, but the stated goal is usually to lose weight or perk up physical health. Good nutrition can heighten your love life too, so identify libido-enhancing foods and eat for better sex.

10.) Sexercise for health and fitness. Having vigorous sex three or more times per week practically guarantees weight loss and provides regular exercise that will have you and your lover feeling better, looking more toned and wanting more.

11.) Feather your love nest. Introduce more sexual energy into your space by sprucing up your bedroom. A change in colors, fabrics and decorations with a focus on erotic, sensual accents can liven up your libido.

12.) Read a book about sex. You can never have enough ideas in the bedroom, and these days, there are so many great reads to choose from to spice things up or learn a new trick or two. Shared reading about sex can add heat to the relationships of even the hottest couples.

Get a sensual start to 2012 by ringing in the New Year with relationship wellness resolutions that will keep you and your lover happy and satisfied until 2013 and beyond. If your plans for 2012 include greater intimacy with the one you love, Astroglide Brand Personal Lubricants can help enhance your experience.

SOURCE: tmrzoo

Proton therapy effective in prostate cancer treatment

Proton therapy, a type of external beam radiation therapy, is a safe and effective treatment for prostate cancer, according to two new studies published in the January issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics (Red Journal), the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO) official scientific journal.

In the first study, researchers at the University of Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., prospectively studied 211 men with low-, intermediate-, and high-risk prostate cancer. The men were treated with proton therapy, a specialized type of external beam radiation therapy that uses protons instead of X-rays. After a two year follow-up, the research team led by Nancy Mendenhall, MD, of the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute, reported that the treatment was effective and that the gastrointestinal and genitourinary side effects were generally minimal.

"This study is important because it will help set normal tissue guidelines in future trials," Dr. Mendenhall, said.

In the second study, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, Calif., and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group in Philadelphia performed a case-matched analysis comparing high-dose external beam radiation therapy using a combination of photons (X-rays) and protons with brachytherapy (radioactive seed implants).

Over three years, 196 patients received the external beam treatments. Their data was compared to 203 men of similar stages who received brachytherapy over the same time period. Researchers then compared the biochemical failure rates (a statistical measure of whether the cancer relapses) and determined that men who received the proton/photon therapy had the same rate of recurrence as the men who received brachytherapy.

"For men with prostate cancer, brachytherapy and external beam radiation therapy using photons and protons are both highly effective treatments with similar relapse rates," John J. Coen, MD, a radiation oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, said. "Based on this data, it is our belief that men with prostate cancer can reasonably choose either treatment for localized prostate cancer based on their own concerns about quality of life without fearing they are compromising their chance for a cure."

Provided by American Society for Radiation Oncology

source: medicalxpress

CDC recommends HPV vaccination for males

CDC recommends HPV vaccination for males Health experts have recommended most strongly that young girls be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus, as it the infection is known to be a primary cause of cervical cancer and positive STD tests linked to the virus are on the rise. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now says that boys should be vaccinated as well, as the virus can cause serious health problems in males.

What's at stake?

According to the CDC, more than 90 percent of cases of genital warts are caused by HPV infection. Furthermore, cases of cancers caused by the virus are on the rise. Between 1973 and 2007, there has been an increase of 1 percent per year in cases of oropharyngeal cancer caused by HPV in men. Cases of anal cancer caused by the virus increased 3 percent per year.

Overall, a total of 22,000 HPV-related cancers are diagnosed in the U.S. every year. While cervical cancer in women may be the most common, an estimated 7,000 cancers are diagnosed in men, representing a significant burden.

The recommendation

The new recommendation from the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices says that males between the ages of 11 and 12 should be vaccinated regularly. Furthermore, young men between the ages of 13 and 21 who have never been vaccinated should receive three doses.

Men between 22 and 26 may receive the vaccine if they and their doctors decide it is appropriate. The vaccine is not licensed for individuals over age 26.

Who benefits most?

The CDC report announcing the new recommendations states that men who have sex with men have the highest risk of being infected with the HPV virus, and therefore stand to benefit the most from vaccination. These individuals have higher rates of intraepithelial neoplasia (a forerunner to cancer), anal cancer and genital warts.

Additionally, individuals infected with the HIV virus have higher rates of HPV-related conditions. Given their compromised immune systems, it is generally more effective to prevent further infections than it is to treat them.

The recommendations seek to make it clear that females are not the only ones at risk for receiving a positive STD test and other health problems associated with the HPV virus. Getting more men vaccinated could play an important role in preventing the spread of the infection.

source: privatemdlabs